Health and Welfare of Captive Reptiles

Clifford Warwick is an independent human medical scientist and reptile biologist. He holds several advanced professional qualifications specializing in reptile science, as well as a PhD in reptile welfare biology. He has produced approximately 150 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters and books, mostly concerning the biology and welfare of reptiles, with a focus on anthropogenic impacts. Phillip C. Arena is an awarded educator and functional morphologist specialising in reptile biology, health and welfare. He has published material on the anaesthesia, anatomy and physiology of reptiles and contributed to key investigations on the impact of farming and recreational practices on the lives of reptiles, including rattlesnakes, marine turtles and crocodiles.  Gordon M. Burghardt is Alumni Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at the University of Tennessee. He has published widely on reptile behaviour, behavioural development and evolution, captive animal issues, animal play and conceptual and historical aspects of animal ethology and comparative psychology.

• Chapter 1. Introduction.- Chapter 2. Physiology and Functional Anatomy.- Chapter 3. Sensory Systems.- Chapter 4. Biology of Stress.- Chapter 5. Normal Behaviour.- Chapter 6. Social Behaviour as a Challenge for Welfare.- Chapter 7. Brains, Behaviour, and Cognition: Multiple Misconceptions.- Chapter 8. Psychological and Behavioural Principles and Problems.- Chapter 9. Effects of Ontogeny, Rearing Conditions, and Individual Differences on Behaviour: Welfare, Conservation, and Invasive Species Implications.- Chapter 10. Controlled Deprivation and Enrichment.- Chapter 11. Effects of Noise and Light.- Chapter 12. Ethologically Informed Design and DEEP Ethology in Theory and Practice.- Chapter 13. Spatial and Thermal Factors.- Chapter 14. Nutritional Considerations.- Chapter 15. Naturalistic Versus Unnaturalistic Environments.- Chapter 16. Evidential Thresholds for Species Suitability in Captivity.- Chapter 17. Record Keeping as an Aid to Captive Care.- Chapter 18. Arbitrary Husbandry Practices and Misconceptions.- Chapter 19. Miscellaneous Factors.

“Health and Welfare of Captive Reptiles, Second Edition is a huge 19-chapter,638-pagebook … . it consists of a series of very detailed literature reviews on aspects of reptile physiology and behavior … . Each chapter is heavy with references. … Inclusion of the weblinks to those which are freely available in the reference lists is a welcome touch. … I suspect the book will prove most valuable to educators in veterinary schools and agricultural colleges” (Frances M. Baines, Animal Welfare, November 6, 2023)